ESCORT / SAFETY Boat Information
The information on this page is for skippers who have offered assistance as an Escort (42km teams only)
or Safety Boat driver at the event.
All Escort and Safety Boats used in the event, must meet the minimum requirements as per the Event rules and Maritime NZ requirements.
There is additional information below for teams who have organised
their own Escort Boat and Skipper for the 42km event.
There is additional information below for teams who have organised
their own Escort Boat and Skipper for the 42km event.
All Skippers should be familiar with the information, and complete all forms.
INFORMATION FOR BOATIES |
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Maritime NZ
All Escort Boats must meet the minimum requirements below. If the Takapuna Beach Cup organisers decide that your Escort boat does not meet the minimum requirements, your Escort boat will not be allowed to participate in the Event and your crew will have to withdraw from the race. It is imperative that your Escort boat meets the minimum requirements.
Minimum Requirements for an Escort Boat
The following criterion is in compliance with the rules set by the Takapuna Beach Cup organisers, and must be followed. Random inspections for Escort boats may occur on Saturday morning, and those not meeting the criteria will be forced to withdraw as a Escort Boat.
All Escort Boats must meet the minimum requirements below. If the Takapuna Beach Cup organisers decide that your Escort boat does not meet the minimum requirements, your Escort boat will not be allowed to participate in the Event and your crew will have to withdraw from the race. It is imperative that your Escort boat meets the minimum requirements.
Minimum Requirements for an Escort Boat
The following criterion is in compliance with the rules set by the Takapuna Beach Cup organisers, and must be followed. Random inspections for Escort boats may occur on Saturday morning, and those not meeting the criteria will be forced to withdraw as a Escort Boat.
- Vessels must be a minimum of 5m in length
- Tin or inflatable dinghies are not suitable to act as an Escort Boat.
- Vessels must be seaworthy and have a minimum carrying capacity of 5 people; and must be able to safely carry all team paddlers and Escort boat crew members.
- Vessels must be fully fuelled and mechanically sound
- Vessels must have sufficient power to travel faster than the canoe, so water changes and/or rescues can be made safely.
- Vessels must be equipped with all safety gear, including personal flotation devices for ALL passengers, a first aid kit, bailing equipment, flares, VHF Radio, boarding ladder and oars.
- Requirements for PFDs: not kapok, not more than 10 years old, have working canisters if inflatable (have been checked for rust & if they are working or serviced), the straps won't break.
- All Operators must be aware of and comply with all applicable Water Safety Regulations and Requirements
- All Operators must be aware of and comply with all of the Event Official Race Rules.
- All Escort Boats must have a competent and experienced operator.
- All Escort Boats must have a noncompeting observer as a secondary crew member. We can provide this person if required.
ESCORT BOAT AND CREWMATE INFORMATION
All of the following information is required of your Escort boat and crewmate, as it is a requirement of Maritime NZ. This information needs to be supplied to the Event Manager, via the provided online form, no later than February 4th 2027 (one week before the event).
Communications
Escort Boat Briefing & Waiver
Escort Boat - Race Requirements & Etiquette
All of the following information is required of your Escort boat and crewmate, as it is a requirement of Maritime NZ. This information needs to be supplied to the Event Manager, via the provided online form, no later than February 4th 2027 (one week before the event).
- Skipper's Name
- Skipper's Mobile number
- Skipper's Email
- Skipper's Experience
- Boat Name
- Boat Type
- Boat Age
- Boat Size
- Engine Type
- Engine Age
- VHF Call sign
- Passenger capacity
- Your crewmate's name
Communications
- All Escort boats must be equipped with two-way VHF radio. Any entry without proper two-way communication will not be allowed to participate.
- The skipper's mobile number must also be supplied, as a back up.
- The appropriate emergency channel for communication will be advised in the Escort Boat Briefing.
Escort Boat Briefing & Waiver
- All Escort Boat drivers must complete the "Escort Boat Briefing" and a "Escort Boat Waiver form" prior to the 2027 event. Please ensure your Escort Boat Operators read and understand these documents.
- The Escort Boat Waiver form is also attached at the bottom of this page. Please send this completed form to [email protected]
Escort Boat - Race Requirements & Etiquette
- Escort boats are to proceed to the first change over point 15 mins before the Race start and wait on the South West side of the designated 1st change Buoy.
- All changeovers must be made from the water. No Escort boats within 20m of any canoe, except during an emergency.
- Towing of canoes is not permitted, except during an emergency.
- Escort boats MUST NOT reverse up to paddlers in the water.
- All Escort boats must have their MOTOR TURNED OFF when picking up paddlers.
- First changeover point for canoes will be after passing the designated Buoy.
- Further changes will be at the discretion of the crew.
- Escort Boats MAY NOT use megaphones or loud hailers for any purpose whatsoever, except in the case of an emergency.
- Escort Boat Drivers have absolute discretion as to where they will manoeuvre their vessels when making changeovers.
- Any Escort Boat that impedes a canoe by any means (e.g. wash, or causing a canoe to alter course), will result in either a time penalty or disqualification being applied to the Escort boat's own team canoe at the discretion of the Race Director.
Disqualification
Race Officials have the power to act and disqualify any crew whose actions, be it in their canoe or Escort boat:
Race Officials have the power to act and disqualify any crew whose actions, be it in their canoe or Escort boat:
- Do not regard the safety of their own members and/or other competing crews.
- Whose Escort boat do not meet the criteria.
- Escort and Safety Boats may be launched from the Takapuna Boat ramp, or other local access points eg, Okahu Bay or Bayswater, if that is easier for access and parking.
- If the forecasted weather conditions make the race unsafe, an alternate course will be used. If in doubt about the conditions on the day, please contact the Race Director Lara Collins 0275 484 612
CAUTION: SUBMARINE CABLE
- There is a submarine cable buried under the sand at Takapuna Beach
- There is to be NO ANCHORING of Escort and Safety boats at Takapuna Beach. Please refer to the race briefing document for instructions on anchoring.
- All Escort and Safety boats shall comply with the Government Regulation “Submarine Cables and Pipelines Protection Act 1996”
ESCORT Boat FORMS
If you are organising your own Escort boat for your team, please forward this link to your skipper to register the boat and driver details Escort and Safety Boat Registration Form
Please download the Escort & Safety Boat Waiver Form below, and email to [email protected]
ESCORT & SAFETY Boat Waiver: |
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